For all music-lovers in the Oswestry region, yet another exciting Season of six wonderful concerts of classical music, again with the chance of astonishingly low ticket prices. Record audience numbers (over 200 full Subscriber tickets sold) have once again attended during the last 2010-11 Season, highlights of which included visits from The Sixteen, pianist Paul Lewis, the Skampa String Quartet and the tenor James Gilchrist. The audience spread is amazingly wide now, as the reputation of the Series continues to grow.
The new Season will open in October with one of the most talked- about string quartets on the UK scene, the Elias Quartet – playing Haydn, Janacek (his thrilling ‘Kreutzer’ quartet) and one of Beethoven’s ‘late’ quartets, op. 135. Then, in late November, another name of the moment, the nineteen-year-old pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, still basking in the plaudits for his breathtaking appearance at the BBC Proms First Night. Benjamin will perform music by Liszt, Bach and Chopin.
Then, surely, for the February concert, another sell-out seems certain. The English Chamber Orchestra and violinist Tasmin Little, performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, should prove a winning combination, Then, in April, a return visit from the fabulous young cellist Guy Johnston, partnered by the Series Director, Christopher Symons. Guy received a rapturous reception when he played here in March with the EUCO.
In May, a return visit by another of the UK’s most prestigious vocal ensembles, Ex Cathedra, singing an absolutely fascinating and glorious programme, entitled ‘The Elizabethan Ages’. This will include two major works of very different periods but one common feature – both are in 40 parts! ‘Spem in Alium’ (Tallis) is justly acclaimed, and the new work by Alec Roth, ‘Earthrise’, has thrilled the audiences who have so far heard it.
Finally, for our end-of-Season concert, we are again moving into fun and informality, with another variety concert like the one held two years ago. As well as satisfying an obvious demand, it is also designed to help keep the Subscriber ticket cost to the minimum. Details to follow.
Subscriber and Ticket Details
1 Elias String Quartet …………………………………. £16.00
2 Benjamin Grosvenor – piano…………………………£16.00
3 ECO and Tasmin Little ………………………………£18.00
4 Guy Johnston and Christopher Symons………………£14.00
5 Ex Cathedra …………………………………………..£16.00
6 Variety Concert (including 1 free drink) ……………. £10.00
Subscriber Ticket ……………………………………….£75.00
All tickets are available at half-price for children. The Subscriber ticket,
which guarantees a seat for all six concerts, represents a 20% saving on
the full price, and provides six wonderful evenings for just £12.50 each!
There are only 220 Subscriber tickets available – first come, first served!
Please make cheques payable to ‘Oswestry School’.
Tickets and further information from:
Mrs Grice
Oswestry School, Upper Brook Street, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2 TL
Telephone (during school terms only) 01691 681135
Also from Oswestry’s premier music shop –
Music Makers, 5 Old Chapel Court, Oswestry (close to the main Car
Park).
